Lee is alarmed to learn that Grant's army has slipped away from
his lines around Cold Harbor. At daybreak this morning it was
discovered that the army of Gen. Grant had left our front. Our
skirmishers were advanced between 1 and 2 miles, but failing
to discover the enemy were withdrawn, and the army was
moved to conform to the route taken by him." So the ANV
shifted southward, taking position from Malvern Hill to
White Oak Swamp, blocking the road to Richmond,
a road Grant did not intend to take.

From their position near Petersburg, Gen. Beauregard's lookouts
quickly spot the Union flotilla bringing reinforcements to
City Point. Beauregard reports, "I learn from scouts seven
transports with troops passed up James River yesterday for
Bermuda Hundred or City Point, to operate against Petersburg;
most likely latter." The easily aroused Beauregard quickly notifies
Gen. Bragg of the activity in his sector. "Reports from Rock
Wharf a large body of men at Newport News and fifty transports
are lying in Hampton Roads. It is rumored Grant intends
advancing from south side."
Lt. Gen. R. S. Ewell was ordered to relieve Gen. Ransom as
commander of the Department of Richmond ending his
association with the Army of Northern Virginia.